Snehasish Mozumder

The mandolin is not the first instrument on which you'd expect to hear strict Indian classical music played, but Mozdumer renders ragas perfectly, creating a sound that's something like a cross between a sitar and guitar. The instrument is larger than a Western mandolin, with thick, heavy strings that emit a deep, mournful sound with a slightly twangy edge. The melodies display slight bends (sruti) or blistering passages that take you through myriad emotions; the compositions are often meant to accompany times of day or a specific season. He uses the instrument to its fullest, brushing the non-melody strings much like a sitar player uses his drones to generate excitement and enhance the rhythmic sections of a piece. Accompanied by excellent tabla drumming from performers such as Subhen Chatterjee.